The summer of 1995 seemed to last forever, and to fifteen-year-old Maya Dursley that was not a good thing. The country found itself tightly gripped in a stifling heatwave and she, like many others, did not really have the energy to do anything. Almost everyone in Little Whinging had retreated into the shade of their cool, expensive houses and the streets were generally devoid of people. Maya filled her days with closely following the news, always keeping her eyes and ears wide open for any sort of clue the Muggles did not pick up on. After all, Voldemort had returned and that was bound to have consequences. It was not just the Muggle news that Maya was following, though. She knew her famous cousin Harry Potter, a skinny, black-haired, bespectacled boy with a scar in the shape of a lightning bolt on his forehead, had taken out a new subscription on the Daily Prophet and Maya had no qualms whatsoever about stealing his papers whenever he was sleeping or out. It did not seem he read them thoroughly anyway. Speaking of Harry, there was a definite rift between him and Maya now, and the cold vibes omnipresent in four Privet Drive were in stark contrast with the hot weather outside. They said virtually nothing to each other, and it was particularly awkward when both of them sat down to watch the news.

Even though Harry's appearance remained roughly the same, Maya had undergone a serious makeover. She had her knee length brown hair cut to shoulder length, because she was bored of taking care of it (her time could be better spent) and she wanted to look tougher. In that vein, she now had a dark green nostril piercing and dark green earrings. It made a great combination with her silver Slytherin ring, given to her by Draco for her twelfth birthday. The golden necklace he had once given her for Christmas did not really match the set, and she would try to discretely pawn it for some money. Gold was fine and all, but to Maya green and silver were the proper colours.

The summer days dragged on and (most remarkably) nothing strange happened until the 2nd of August, a few days after Harry's fifteenth birthday, which Maya had completely ignored as usual. That evening Maya was watching a movie with her mother, when suddenly she saw something outside out of the corner of her eye. Harry was slowly making his way to their front door, but to Maya's surprise he was not alone. Walking alongside him was Mrs Figg, a batty cat-loving old lady who lived nearby. When Maya was younger, her parents always dumped Harry at her place when it was her birthday or when they went on vacation. Simpler times Maya thought inadvertently, suppressing a sigh. Harry appeared to be badly shaken, and curiosity immediately got the better of Maya. She got up from the sofa she had been lying on and opened the door for her cousin, but not out of courtesy.

'So... rough night?' she asked casually, fixing her hazel eyes on the odd duo before her. Mrs Figg and she completely ignored each other; they had never gotten along. The lady quickly muttered a goodbye to Harry and subsequently set off at a trot. Within seconds she was swallowed by the darkness.

'Was attacked by Dementors,' Harry said feebly, making his way past Maya and into the house, 'had to fight them off...'

'What? Dementors? In Little Whinging? You know, I'm really starting to think Rita Skeeter had the right idea about you' Maya said sceptically, trailing after him into the kitchen.

'Whatever, I...' Harry began, but then a screech owl swooped in through the living room window. Petunia shrieked as the owl soared across the room, dropped the large parchment envelope it was carrying at Harry's feet and then gracefully zoomed outside again. The red envelope was unmistakeably a Howler, and Maya was happy for it. Now she could hear what the letter said, and sure enough a few seconds later a woman's voice boomed through the house.

Dear Mr Potter,
We have received intelligence that you performed the Patronus Charm at twenty-three minutes past nine this evening. The severity of this breach of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery has resulted in your expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Ministry representatives will be calling at your place of residence shortly to destroy your wand. As you have already received an official warning for a previous offence under Section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks' Statute of Secrecy, we regret to inform you that your presence is required at a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9 a.m. on the 12th of August.
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic

'Well, I'll be damned,' Maya said casually, 'I never knew you could cast a Patronus too.' Harry appeared to be in a state of total shock, but Maya went on in the same, perfectly calm manner. 'I surmise from that letter that there actually were Dementors. You do realise the odds of you randomly encountering them here are about as high as Ron's IQ, ergo, zero? No, someone sent them after you, probably the Ministry itself considering they control the Dementors and the fact you're not exactly popular in the Daily Prophet these days.'

Her last words seemed to jolt Harry awake. 'What are you talking about? I've been reading the paper and never saw anything about me!' he said defiantly.

'Well, you probably only read the front page then' Maya said.

'Of course! Anything about Voldemort would be headline news, wouldn't it?' Harry said.

'If you actually read the paper cover to cover, like a good student, you'll occasionally see the snide comments they keep slipping in. For example when some far-fetched story appears, they say something like 'A tale worthy of Harry Potter'. So yeah, it's more subtle, but really quite entertaining I might add' Maya said pleasantly. She really enjoyed seeing Harry in this desperate and stressed state.

'Wait a minute. How do you even know that? You actually have a subscription now?' Harry asked, somewhat distracted from the horrible news he had just received.

'Either that or I creep into your room at night when you're asleep and take your papers. But you know what, I'll be nice and go with your version' Maya said with a smirk.

Harry did not respond. Instead he seemed to be contemplating his next move, muttering to himself. 'I'm expelled... but I need my wand...' He made to walk out of the room, but Maya blocked his path. 'Get out of the way, I'm leaving!' he spat angrily.

'Oh Harry, I see you're acting immaturely and impulsively as always. Imagine reacting in anger and desperation rather than keeping a level head, so you can logically evaluate what the actual circumstances may be and take appropriate action. I've noticed before you're always so reluctant to take or seek help from others, but you know what, you've always been besties with Dumbledore. They're trying to discredit him, you know, but he'll fix it for you like always. So why don't you just stop whining and wait for the adults who've always pampered you to handle it?' Maya said, but at that point a loud sound distracted them both.

An owl had collided with the closed window and Harry crossed the room at a run to grab the small roll of parchment the owl brought. Maya shamelessly read along over his shoulder. Mr Weasley had written Harry that he was not to leave the house and that Dumbledore was trying to sort it all out. 'Wow, sometimes I even surprise myself' Maya said haughtily.

'I've been expelled, though. Does Dumbledore actually have the power to override the Ministry of Magic?' Harry asked feebly.

'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn' Maya said, abruptly being her usual self again after accidentally giving Harry some very decent advice. The arrival of the third owl of the evening distracted them again. It dropped another Howler on the kitchen table and swooped back out into the night. Harry ripped it open at once.

Dear Mr Potter,
The Ministry of Magic has revised its decision to destroy your wand forthwith. You may retain your wand until your disciplinary hearing on the 12th of August, at which time an official decision will be taken. Following discussions with the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Ministry has agreed that the question of your expulsion will also be decided at that time. You should therefore consider yourself suspended from school pending further enquiries.
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic

When Harry went to his bedroom a few minutes later, his fears were by no means banished. Everything seemed to hang on this hearing. 'Dumbledore's probably the best lawyer, you'll be on the Hogwarts Express like always' Maya told him with a slight hint of disappointment, but she was not sure whether he had even heard her.

Three days later Harry was gone. If it had not been for a letter on the fridge, Maya and Petunia probably would not even have realised he was no longer there, for he only left his bedroom to go to the bathroom. The two Dursleys had been lured away by a fake invitation of Petunia's best friend Yvonne, who had been very surprised indeed to see them at her doorstep. Much to Maya's annoyance, they had tea at her place anyway and when they finally got back, Harry had evidently been collected by she assumed the Weasleys.

It was not until the very last day of August that the yearly Hogwarts letters arrived. Maya had been worried considering they usually came much earlier, but she was also very excited because Prefects would be chosen. Ignoring the thin envelope that clearly contained the booklist, she turned her attention to the other, much thicker one. 'Go ahead, make my day' she muttered nervously to herself as she tore open the envelope. She turned it upside-down and... something silver and green fell into her palm. A large 'P' was superimposed on the Slytherin snake. 'Yes!' Maya screamed in jubilation. She had actually done it. Now she could actually impose her will on others, putting them in detention and other cool stuff like that. She read the letter that came with the badge with a broad grin on her face.

Dear Ms Dursley,
I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected to serve as Prefect for Slytherin House. Your school record shows that you have exhibited the intelligence, ambition, determination and resourcefulness that Slytherins have long been lauded for. I am certain that you will continue to be a model for your peers and will take your new responsibilities seriously. Enclosed please find your Prefect Badge, which should be worn on your school robes at all times. Congratulations!
Sincerely,
Severus Snape
Head of Slytherin House

Because for some reason the Hogwarts letters had arrived on literally the last day of the summer holidays, Diagon Alley was absolutely packed with students and their parents. It initially made Maya feel even worse about her annual walk of shame to Gringotts, but ultimately the very pleasant thought of her being made a Prefect fully compensated for it. She did not spot any of her Slytherin peers, but she did catch a glimpse of Mrs Weasley, who appeared to be getting school supplies for her whole family. Maya could not help but wonder why she was all by herself, but ultimately decided she did not care. Since it was so crowded it took Maya a very long time to purchase all her stuff, and then she rushed home to pack her things. Tomorrow on the train she would get her Prefect instructions from the Head Boy and Girl and she simply could not wait to abuse her position.